Tutoring goes online, real-time at UH West O'ahu's No'eau Center

New system allows important dialogue with students

The University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu's No‘eau Center for Writing, Math and Academic Success now offers an online tutoring platform to better assist students with writing, math and statistics assignments. Through the new Elluminate system, student tutors are able to conduct real-time dialogue with students online and more actively engage the University's large, distance-learning student population who live on the neighbor islands.

"With an increasing number of classes being offered online, we need to offer more and better online resources," said Director of the No‘eau Center Dr. Emily Nye. "This works especially well for students who are off-island or can't make it to campus for a face-to-face tutoring session."

To access the new Elluminate tutoring system, students schedule an appointment at the center and log on to Elluminate by visiting http://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/wlconlinehelp at the scheduled time. The Elluminate platform allows the student and student tutor to view the assignment on-screen. Both parties are able to type directly on the assignment and discuss strategies via a computer microphone or writing in a chat box.

“We are continually seeking ways to innovate and better serve our students,” said Gene I. Awakuni, UH West O‘ahu chancellor. “This new system provides for greater dialogue with our students. It’s really the next best thing to being in the same room.”

The No‘eau Center for Writing, Math and Academic Success is also developing a series of audio podcasts that will eventually be available on the UH West O‘ahu website. The Center provides academic support through tutoring and workshops that help students succeed at the University. Programs focus on life-long learning and the belief that all students are able to develop critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills as they transition into the workforce. In addition to the classroom experience at UH West O‘ahu, students benefit from individualized attention, working with small study groups and participating in innovative activities that promote learning and literacy. For more information about the UH West O‘ahu No‘eau Center for Writing, Math and Academic Success, visit http://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/wlcenter.

About UH West O‘ahu

UH West O‘ahu became a four-year, comprehensive university when it served its first class of freshmen in fall 2007. The University offers quality education, small classes and personalized attention at convenient locations. UH West O‘ahu held a ground blessing ceremony in January 2009 in anticipation of the start of construction for a state-of-the art, new campus in the City of Kapolei. For more information, visit uhwo.hawaii.edu, twitter.com/uhwestoahu, facebook.com/uhwestoahu or call 454-4700 or toll-free (866) 299-8656.